Special Report:

Daily posts from Sam Zarifi and Charmain Mohamed, Human Rights Watch Asia division researchers

Introduction
On September 18, 2005, Afghanistan held elections to choose a national assembly and local councils for the country’s 34 provinces. Human Rights Watch conducted research throughout the country in the lead-up to the elections, focusing on candidate and voter perceptions about political rights, women’s involvement in the election, and issues of freedom of expression.

The September 18 elections are the second time since 2001 Afghans have been able to go to the polls to select leaders. In research on these and the previous polls, Human Rights Watch has identified the protection of women voters and candidates from attacks and intimidation by the Taliban and regional warlords as the major challenge.

Through the election process, two Asia researchers, Sam Zarifi and Charmain Mohamed, posted dispatches about the polls and the atmosphere in Afghanistan.

September 19, 2005
September 18, 2005  [Election Day Updates]
September 17, 2005
September 16, 2005
September 15, 2005
September 14, 2005
September 13, 2005
September 12, 2005

Audio by Sam Zarifi (September 18, 2005):

   As the polls closed

   At a rural polling site in Parwan province

   A polling site north of Kabul